Friday, October 14, 2005

Brunch feast to benefit the Big Easy

Season ski pass among silent auction items


By MICHAEL AMES
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Local chefs, cooks, waiters and bartenders, representing a large swath of the Wood River Valley's restaurant industry, are joining together this weekend at Ketchum's Sawtooth Club for a Creole extravaganza, with all proceeds benefiting victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"It's the Benefit Brunch for the Big Easy, from one great restaurant town to another," said Tom Nickel, who is the owner of three Ketchum eateries: The Sawtooth Club, the Outabounds Lounge and The Roosevelt Bar & Grille. The event will be held Sunday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Sawtooth then offering its own N'awlins themed dinner and fundraiser.

The idea originated from a group of restaurant folk, including Mike Diem, head chef and owner of Ketchum's East Avenue Bistro.

"You think New Orleans, you think restaurants," said Diem. "Restaurant people tend to congregate at the Sawtooth—so it seemed like a natural place to hold the event."

Three charities will benefit from the brunch: the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and The Humane Society Pet Rescue Fund.

In the restaurant biz, an industry known for searing cynicism and kitchen shenanigans, there has been no shortage of altruism for this cause.

"I'm impressed so far how well people are responding," Diem said during initial planning.

Participating restaurants include The Sawtooth Club, East Avenue Bistro, The Roosevelt Tavern & Grille, Cristina's, Il Naso, The Ketchum Grill, Baci, CK's, Ciro and Bistro 44.

One hundred percent of proceeds from the event will go to charity, including tips. "Every penny will be counted," Nickel said.

An all-day feast at the Sawtooth is the centerpiece of this gastronomic fundraiser. A donation of $30 per person entitles you to a brunch-lunch buffet of delights created by chefs from each of the participating restaurants. All of the dishes will have a Louisiana, Cajun, Creole or New Orleans flair to them.

Gluttons take note, the spread will include Cajun seafood crepes, blackened rib eye steak, eggs benedict Creole-style, po'boy sandwiches, seafood jambalaya, shrimp etoufee, pecan pie, Louisiana crab cakes, fried oysters, key lime pie, bananas foster, buttermilk-battered pan-fried catfish, chicken Creole, grilled Andouille sausage sandwiches and Cajun shellfish pasta.

In true New Orleans style, the bar will also be jumping with themed drink specials, such as mint juleps and dark n' stormies.

"It should be a lot of fun—during the day we'll have football games on. Come in and have a Cajun lunch and watch some football!" said Nickel.

Wait staff will be donating their time and tips, helping with everything from serving to the clean up. "I'll probably be washing dishes for a few hours that day," said Nickel.

The fundraiser will also feature a silent auction with goodies donated by local business including The Board Bin, The Open Room, Silver Creek Outfitters and Barry Peterson Jewelers. The highlight for many, however, will be the drawing of the winner of the Sun Valley season ski pass raffle. The $10 tickets are available now at businesses across town; just look for the Brunch for the Big Easy poster.

For those who can't make the daytime festivities, The Sawtooth Club will be offering New Orleans-inspired specials in addition to their regular menu from 5 p.m. onwards. All profits from dinner that night will be added to the donation as well.

For further details, call 726-9251 or 726-5233.

(Express Arts Editor Jennifer Pattison contributed to this article.)




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